Fwd: on "French" toast

[Jesse Sheidlower]

On Thu, Mar 13, 2003 at 03:02:27PM -0500, Laurence Horn wrote:
> Can't remember at the moment what our prevailing wisdom was on
> "French toast".  Can anyone confirm or refute this story, just
> forwarded to me by one of our students?  It seems a bit
> etymythological to me, especially the
> not-knowing-proper-usage-of-the-apostrophe bit, but then French toast
> isn't found in France, unlike French fries (even if the latter are
> the national food of Belgium, and even if they're just called
> "frites" in both countries).
>
> larry
>
> --- begin forwarded text
>
> A toast to stupidity
>
> Apropos of the politicians who are expunging the word "French" from
> cafeteria menus, a gastronomic historian writes: "French toast was not
> invented in France. In fact, it was invented in Albany, NY. Tavern owner
> Joseph French is credited with inventing the famous breakfast in 1724.
> Supposedly, Mr. French didn't know the proper usage of the possessive
> apostrophe and, instead of 'French's toast' he put 'French toast' on his
> menu."
>
>
>         (from Joe Conason's Journal, on salon.com)
>
> --- end forwarded text

Given that OED has a 1660 example (in the form "French Toasts"), I
think it's pretty safe to assume that Conason is wrong.

Jesse Sheidlower